Have students imagine an expressive fantasy creature or character they would like to become. On oak tag or poster board, students use Crayola® Colored Pencils to draw a head-sized oval that will become a mask. Sketch features such as eyes with exaggerated expressions to convey a dramatic new identity.

Experiment with mixing Crayola Model Magic colors to suit the creature's personality. For example, blend two primary colors (red, yellow, blue) well to make a secondary hue (orange, green, purple). Create tints by adding white. For a marbled effect, blend colors incompletely to make streaks.

Apply Model Magic to the paper oval to make the face. Build up features on top of the drawing. To make multicolored "cinnamon roll" shapes for unusual features, flatten at least two balls of different-colored Model Magic using a rolling pin or dowel. Stack the flattened disks tightly, and roll them up. Use Crayola Scissors to cut 1/4-inch segments. Connect these pieces.

Students use their hands to form pieces for the mask. Focus on making the shape of each piece match its expressive function. Use strips of Model Magic to add expressive lines to the face and to emphasize certain features. Embellish the mask with Crayola Glitter Glue and other decorative materials.

When the mask is complete, apply Crayola School Glue to the tip of a dowel stick or tree branch. Insert the stick into the chin of the mask.

Possible teacher resources: Behind the Mask by Yangsook Choi; Joshua's Masai Mask by Dakari Hru, In small groups, students identify and investigate cultures that use masks. Encourage them to discuss the purpose for masks.

Individual students name their original masks and write a brief description of who would wear them and why. Re-organize students into small groups and ask them to compose an original play. Provide class time for students to practice a performance before having them present. This can be done live or the performance can be videotaped and uploaded to a classroom computer.